New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony revealed he intends to become a free agent in 2014. Despite his decision to opt out of his current contract in July, Anthony isn't leaving the Big Apple.
Anthony, 29, has been vague about his plans for the summer of 2014. In an article published on Wednesday, Anthony made his most explicit comments yet about free agency.
"I want to be a free agent," Anthony told the New York Observer. "I think everybody in the NBA dreams to be a free agent at least one time in their career. It's like you have an evaluation period, you know. It's like if I'm in the gym and I have all the coaches, all the owners, all the GMs come into the gym and just evaluate everything I do. So yes, I want that experience."
Still, Anthony won't leave New York.
Opting out of his contract makes sense; it lets Anthony to cash in with the Knicks. By exercising his early termination option, Anthony becomes eligible for the Knicks to sign him to a five-year, $126 million max deal.
Another team, by contrast, can offer only a four-year deal worth $96 million.
Money aside, New York is Anthony's hometown. Anthony described in the interview how he's grown accustomed to New York's high expectations and now welcomes the pressure to win. His family also just moved into a new home, and his son began first grade.
The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be the Knicks' biggest competition for Anthony, but it's unlikely the reigning NBA scoring champion will be lured to the Lakeshow. Anthony is a scorer and needs the ball in his hands. With the Lakers expected to sign Kobe Bryant to an extension this summer, it's difficult to imagine the two ball-hawks coexisting on the court.
Anthony also isn't a fan of current Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni, who Anthony reportedly pushed out of New York after a string of losses.
Winning an NBA title is the most important thing to Anthony. Fielding a championship-caliber roster may be the only deterrent to Anthony staying in New York; assuming no one opts out of their contract, the Knicks would have $93.4 million on the books for next season.
Despite the lack wiggle room with the salary cap, New York does have a new general manager who might be able to put together a better-rounded team than his predecessor, Glen Grunwald.
Cognizant of the controversy his interview might create, Anthony had a message for Knicks fans.
"I came to New York for a reason," Anthony said. "I've been with you all my life, almost to a fault. I wanted to come here and take on the pressures of playing in New York. So one thing I would tell my fans: If you haven't heard it from me, then it ain't true."
